General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced the successful second endurance flight of the US Army’s improved Gray Eagle (IGE) prototype unmanned aircraft system (UAS), an advanced derivative of the mission-proven Gray Eagle UAS that has accumulated over 1,00,000 flight hours since 2008.

The flight of IGE lasted 36.7 hours, taking off on January 17 and landing on January 19 at the company’s El Mirage Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, California.

“Improved Gray Eagle is a significant capability leap forward, providing for longer UAS endurance, enhanced payload carriage, and increased reliability”, said Frank W. Pace, President, Aircraft Systems, GAASI. “We are pleased that this long-endurance flight was executed seamlessly, with all objectives met.”

Following this test, IGE will receive software updates that will allow its operation from the US Army’s One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS) and future Universal Ground Control System (UGCS). The Army plans to flight test the upgrade this summer.

An updated version of the US Army’s Gray Eagle, IGE was developed by GA-ASI on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds, with its maiden flight taking place last July. In addition to the prototype aircraft currently undergoing flight test evaluation, the company has committed to manufacturing an additional “production first article” aircraft.

IGE has a max gross takeoff weight of 4,200 pounds, utilising the 205HP Lycoming DEL-120 engine. The aircraft’s deep belly design and 500- pound centerline hard point allows for 850 pounds of internal fuel load, with an optional external fuel pod that can accommodate an additional 450 pounds. Use of this extra fuel would allow for RSTA missions in excess of 50 hours.